via USA Today – Only 45 percent of non-interest bank checking accounts are free, down from 65 percent in 2010 and 76 percent two years ago, according to a survey released Monday by Bankrate.com. Fees, meanwhile, are rising: The average monthly fee for a non-interest account is $4.37, up 75 percent from a year ago. Banks… [Continue Reading]
Parallels in history: The execution of Troy Davis
09/26/2011 By 2 Comments
The Fugitive Slave Act, the most controversial bill of The Compromise of 1850, declared that all runaway slaves could legally be recaptured and brought back to their masters. The antebellum-era bill also made it a crime for any citizen to knowingly aid a fugitive slave (sound familiar?). As a result, all African-Americans, regardless of whether… [Continue Reading]
"Accent monitors" no longer allowed in Arizona classrooms
09/26/2011 By 1 Comment
English is my second language and although when I moved to the states as a child I worked to speak English perfectly (and I do) I’m reminded that my perfect English comes with an accent when I hear yet again, “You kind of sound like JLo.” I love that I have a slight accent. It’s… [Continue Reading]
Graffiti is for gangsters?
09/26/2011 By 1 Comment
Mami and Papi were wrong when they told you graffiti was only “Cholos”, “gangsters”, and “thugs”. Growing up, mi familia always told me that they hated how “gang members” cheapened property value by adding graffiti to neighborhoods. I mean, I understand how city revenue is spent painting over graffiti on city property but this isn’t a discussion… [Continue Reading]
8 ways parents make kids fat
09/26/2011 By Leave a Comment
via CBS News — According to a report from the Institute of Medicine, 10% of infants and toddlers carry excess weight for their length, and slightly more than 20 percent of children between the ages of two and five already are overweight or obese.” This may be due to mistakes that some parents make. Some of… [Continue Reading]
How much does racism influence the immigration debate?
09/26/2011 By 3 Comments
Like many Americans, nothing makes me happier than arguing about emotionally loaded, extremely volatile political issues that have no clear solutions. Yes, that’s why I write about immigration so much. However, I now realize that I haven’t been fair. I’ve simply assumed that racism — directed toward Latinos — is a primary motivating factor in… [Continue Reading]